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Diatoms of North America is a collaborative work in progress, growing and changing as science advances.

Thalassiosira 16326 Mix 013

Taxon Contributors

Contributors produce comprehensive documentation on diatoms, leading to consistent and correct taxonomy.

Neidium Hitchcockii Sem Me 10011 042618 Mix 020Small

Taxa by Morphology

New to diatoms? Jump into diatom identification using the visual key.

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Editorial Review Board

Using diatoms in assessment? Specify the use of Diatoms of North America in contracts and task agreements.

What are Diatoms?

Diatoms

Diatoms are single-celled algae that live nearly everywhere there is water - streams, ponds, lakes, oceans, and even soils.


For practitioners

Taxon
Identification Guide

Genera

Genera

Classification information, citations, links and species listings for 183 genera completed to date.

Species

Species

Identification guides, original descriptions, citations, autecological information and more for 1070 species and growing.

Contributors

We encourage new contributors to submit taxon pages.

This project depends on many people to document the diverse diatom flora of streams, rivers, wetlands, lakes, springs, soils, estuaries and coastal zones.

Recent News & Projects

Diatom Web Academy 2023

We are back and it is spring 2023! Would you like to be part of Diatom Web Academy? We welcome participation by diatomists at every level. Being a...

Muelleria tetonensis SEM 513101

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FAQ: What is a process?

Good question. There are not only an abundance of terms to describe the silicious parts of diatoms, but terms are often redundant and overlapping. In...

Nakovimage

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Diatoms of North America has been developed in part with the generous funding and support of US EPA, USGS, the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at University of Colorado Boulder and other organizations.

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